Middle School Corner
“Music isn’t fun anymore!” This is the clarion call of October. I’m sure you have heard your child say it. If you haven’t, it’s likely coming soon! Don’t worry — it’s natural and almost predictable. It’s part of the ebb and flow of any rigorous activity.
The repetition and grind associated with daily rehearsals, combined with mounting academic pressures and the challenges of the ongoing pandemic can take a toll.
Add in after-school activities, tests, sports, and the other responsibilities associated with being a student, and he or she might be right: music might not always be fun.
Here’s a secret… It’s not supposed to always be fun. It’s supposed to be life-changing.
Yes, maybe at this very moment, music isn’t “fun.” But, do you know what music is?
Music is worthwhile.
It’s character-building, memory-making, and friendship-fostering.
Music is working hard with the same people, fighting through the tough days, and celebrating the good ones together.
Music is life-changing. That’s what music is.
Thanks for all you do to make your children successful, both in music and in all their other pursuits.
Have a great transition to the fall season, and please let us know how we can continue helping make music a life-changing part of your child’s life.
You Union Bands Faculty contact us
especially for 6th grade parents
This school year is different than years past. We are teaching and learning in ways we weren’t accustomed to before the pandemic. And through it all, you and your child are navigating the world of music. New beginnings are exciting, but the shine can wear off fast when your child hears their least favorite word: PRACTICE.
Listen, few people actually like to practice — it’s like musical homework! And what kid likes homework?
We know that practicing can be a fight that you don’t want or need — especially right now. It’s not so much what they practice, but that they practice, even if it is for just 10 minutes. Routine matters now more than ever.
In your role as a parent, you can make a big difference when it comes to practicing. You don’t have to know anything about their instrument or about music. Helping your child set aside a regular, dedicated time for practice over these initial months can have a dramatic effect on their trajectory as a musician!
What does regular practice look like? For a beginner, shorter, frequent sessions are better. It takes time to develop the ability to practice in a focused, sustained manner. Set a schedule and try and stick to it so they develop a routine. As they work through their materials, prompt them with, “That was great. Can I hear that again?” Or, “Awesome! You should play that for your brother/sister/parent.” You will trick them into practicing without them even knowing it! Sneaky? Yes! But it works!
The key to guided practice is a consistent schedule and repetition. If you can get them to sit down regularly and play things multiple times, the improvement will be significant! Please know that you are a crucial part of setting up your child for success in music, and we’re here to help you. If you have questions or struggles, please feel free to reach out to us.
Thank you for reading — and thank you for all that you are doing to support your child’s musical journey.
Sincerely,
Your Union Bands Faculty
Anticipated Fundraising Availability
LET'S PAY OUR BAND FEES WITH FUNDRAISING!
Chocolate and Beef Sticks are available for in-class pickup at the 6/7th and 8th Grade Centers on Thursdays (and sometimes Fridays at the director's discretion) when ordered by 3pm on WEDNESDAYS.
Chocolate and Beef Sticks are also available for checkout on:
Thurs 10/28 during the RR Full Ensemble practice/Resource Night/Butter Braid Money Turn in at the High School inside the doors that lead to the band room and are adjacent to the bus loop from 6:00-7:00PM.
Thurs 11/4 after the Macy’s Practice at the High School inside the doors that lead to the band room and are adjacent to the bus loop from 6:00-6:30PM.
Our current feature fundraiser is Butter Braids
*NOTE: Order totals due noon Thursday, October 28, 2021 via live link on our fundraising page.
*If you have more orders come in AFTER you input your order, Please RE-INPUT the TOTAL order (quantities you previously input plus the new quantities).
*If possible, UBPC prefers one check for your students' sales $ total.
Sign up for our REMIND for fundraiser delivery information. Text @ubpc-fundr to 81010
Our next feature fundraiser is Wreaths & Poinsettias. Look for information next week!
RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU
Check out our website for all sorts of important information and available resources for the budding musician.
Here you can find vital information from your directors, class information, places on where you purchase band supplies, and much more.
class reminder
Parents - please help remind your student every day to bring:
band instrument
binder with music
pencil
eaRn money volunteering at STADIUM CONCESSIONS
We are enlisting workers (students AND parents) to help us at all of our upcoming events! Reminder that all hours earn money towards YOUR student’s band account.
Come be part of the fun!
stay connected using Union band parents club remind subscriptions
FUNDRAISING:
Text @ubpc-fundr to 81010
DRILLERS/ONEOK FIELD WORK OPPORTUNITIES:
Text @ubpc-drill to 81010
OFFSITE WORK OPPORTUNITIES:
Text @ubpc-osite to 81010
CONCESSION WORK OPPORTUNITIES:
Text @ubpc-conc to 81010
MERCHANDISE:
Text @ubpcmerch to 81010
UBPC BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Text @ubpc-board to 81010
DRILLERS/ROUGHNECKS WORKERS earn money towards thier band accounts!
School has started is in full swing and we need workers at the Drillers and Roughnecks games at OneOK Field. We need cashiers and student runners for our Dippin’ Dots stand that is typically run by our students! We could definitely use everyone’s help as the Drillers and Roughnecks season continues through to October. SIGN UP HERE.
ONEOK WORK OPPORTUNITIES
Check ALL tabs on the sign-up page for upcoming events at OneOk Field TO FIND THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO WORK. Details HERE.
